How to Pay For Continuing Education Classes

Non-credit continuing education courses increase your knowledge and skills – which, in turn, increase your job productivity, your capacity for promotion, your resume qualifications, and your demand by employers.

Traditional credits are not earned toward a degree, but you may earn a non-credit program certificate, continuing education units (CEU’s) to maintain a certificate or license, or course hours to qualify for an industry-recognized exam.  Some of our continuing education courses prepare you for commercial exams that earn you industry-recognized certification, such as CompTIA certification or PMP®/CAPM® certification through PMI ®.

Because our continuing education courses are non-credit, they do not qualify for government student loans; however, here are some common ways that people use to pay for their courses:

1. Employer professional development plans: Often times, employees can help set their professional development goals with continuing education courses in mind so that an employer is willing to pay for courses that align with those goals.  Organizations may also refer to this as learning and development.  Take a look at your employers learning and development plans and tie your own professional development to them.  Most employers are aware that employee engagement and retention is strongly connected to individual targeted professional development.
2. Employer customized training: If you know of several co-workers who would also benefit from the training, your employer may wish to sponsor a special session of that course at your place of work.   This route often makes the cost per student rate lower for the course along with the benefit of the course being customized for the particular needs of your organization.
3. Employer reimbursement: Most organizations have a tuition reimbursement plan.  Even though most continuing education courses are non-credit, many organizations are still willing to reimburse employees for taking the courses.  Many of our courses stack into a certificate or lead to being prepared for an industry-recognized exam, and employers like to see that.   Because our courses are part of Metropolitan State University, employers trust the quality of instruction their employees will receive, and we can provide course participants with a non-credit transcript and certificate to verify attendance and participation in the course. Our course pages are built so that you can print and turn them in with your employer’s forms to qualify for reimbursement.  Each course also clearly states the competencies you will learn in the course so that you can make your case with your employer on how both you will benefit from continuing education. Additional tips for asking your employer to fund your professional development.
4. Workforce Centers: If you are unemployed, visit your local workforce center.   They have many programs that you may qualify for that could provide you with funds to take continuing education courses.  Learn more about the Workforce Center options.
5. Employment Services for Veterans: If you are a veteran, you may have access to funding for continuing education.  Connect with your local Veterans Employment Representative to see what opportunities exist for you.

We also accept credit card payments, or we can work with your employer to set up a purchase order.